VELA Investment Management LLC Acquires 31,119 Shares of Valvoline (NYSE:VVV)

VELA Investment Management LLC increased its position in shares of Valvoline (NYSE:VVV - Free Report) by 36.9% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 115,392 shares of the basic materials company's stock after buying an additional 31,119 shares during the quarter. Valvoline accounts for 1.3% of VELA Investment Management LLC's portfolio, making the stock its 21st biggest holding. VELA Investment Management LLC owned approximately 0.09% of Valvoline worth $4,017,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Cetera Investment Advisers boosted its position in shares of Valvoline by 1.3% during the 4th quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 21,425 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $775,000 after acquiring an additional 277 shares in the last quarter. Arizona State Retirement System boosted its holdings in Valvoline by 0.8% during the fourth quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 35,530 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $1,285,000 after purchasing an additional 281 shares in the last quarter. Advisory Research Inc. boosted its holdings in Valvoline by 0.7% during the fourth quarter. Advisory Research Inc. now owns 41,045 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $1,485,000 after purchasing an additional 295 shares in the last quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Valvoline by 10.9% during the fourth quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 3,548 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $128,000 after purchasing an additional 349 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Treasurer of the State of North Carolina boosted its holdings in Valvoline by 0.6% during the fourth quarter. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina now owns 56,792 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $2,055,000 after purchasing an additional 360 shares in the last quarter. 96.13% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Valvoline Price Performance

Shares of VVV stock traded down $0.68 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $39.04. 2,010,529 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,516,036. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.23, a current ratio of 0.73 and a quick ratio of 0.60. The stock's fifty day moving average is $35.81 and its two-hundred day moving average is $35.85. Valvoline has a fifty-two week low of $31.02 and a fifty-two week high of $48.27. The company has a market cap of $4.96 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.95 and a beta of 1.18.

Valvoline (NYSE:VVV - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 8th. The basic materials company reported $0.34 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.36 by ($0.02). Valvoline had a net margin of 15.97% and a return on equity of 106.36%. The firm had revenue of $403.20 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $405.38 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.37 EPS. Valvoline's revenue was up 3.7% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts forecast that Valvoline will post 1.63 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts recently commented on the company. The Goldman Sachs Group raised Valvoline from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and boosted their price target for the company from $40.00 to $45.00 in a research note on Tuesday, June 3rd. Morgan Stanley reduced their target price on shares of Valvoline from $41.00 to $39.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, May 9th. Citigroup reduced their target price on shares of Valvoline from $41.00 to $38.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, April 29th. TD Cowen began coverage on shares of Valvoline in a research note on Friday, April 4th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $40.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on shares of Valvoline from $44.00 to $42.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, April 28th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $42.54.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Valvoline news, CEO Lori Ann Flees acquired 3,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 27th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $33.78 per share, for a total transaction of $101,340.00. Following the acquisition, the chief executive officer directly owned 46,614 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,574,620.92. This trade represents a 6.88% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.66% of the company's stock.

Valvoline Profile

Valvoline Inc engages in the operation and franchising of vehicle service centers and retail stores in the United States and Canada. The company, through its service centers, provides fluid exchange for motor oil, transmission and differential fluid, and coolant; parts replacement for batteries, filters, wiper blades, and belts; and safety services, such as tire inflation and rotation, bulbs, and safety checks.